The water level of the Varuna River has risen in Varanasi’s Konia area due to the reverse flow of the Ganga. Several houses have been flooded, forcing residents to stay on the first floors and depend on boats for essential travel and daily needs.
Flooding in the Varuna River has disrupted normal life in Konia. From Konia Ghat to Konia Bridge, water has reached five to six feet in several areas, submerging roads and affecting movement. Essential household items and vehicles have also been affected by the floodwater.
The reverse flow of the Ganga has caused flooding in the Varuna River, increasing difficulties for residents. Several lanes and roads are submerged under five to six feet of water. The lower portions of houses are completely flooded, forcing residents to live on the first floors.
Staircases of several houses are submerged. Residents are moving beds, mattresses, clothes, grain, utensils and other essential belongings from the lower portions of their homes to higher floors. In houses with first floors, these areas have become the main place for living and meeting daily needs.
The flood impact is visible from Konia Ghat to Konia Bridge in Ward 43. Water has accumulated around several houses, while normal movement on the roads has stopped.
With roads and lanes submerged, boats have become the main means of transportation for residents. Two boats are currently ferrying people between Konia Ghat and Konia Bridge.
According to local residents, the boats have been operating since August 31. Boatmen Manoj, Babu and Vimal are transporting people to essential destinations through the floodwater. Residents are using the boats to obtain medicines, ration and other necessary supplies.
The flooding has forced residents to cross the water even for routine tasks. Dependence on boats has increased for meeting relatives, completing essential work and bringing supplies home.
The flooding has affected vehicles and household belongings in addition to homes. Several four-wheelers parked in garages have been submerged, making it difficult for owners to move them to safer locations.
Electronic items, furniture, clothes and food supplies kept inside houses have also been affected by the water. Women, elderly people and children are facing difficulties with daily necessities, including arranging drinking water, preparing food and accessing toilets.
Families are also concerned about children's education. Although schools are open, several children are unable to leave their homes because of the five-to-six-foot water level. Local resident Autik Kumar Gupta said schools have reopened, but children cannot leave their homes and normal life has come to a halt.
Local residents have also expressed concern over the flooding. Indu Gupta said that constructing an embankment near Basanta College could have reduced the problem of water entering Konia. She said that if the arrangement had been made in time, residents would not have had to face the current difficulties.
According to Usha Keshari, the flooding has made it difficult to leave home and bring food, drinking water and medicines. Keeping household belongings safe is also a major challenge. Families are increasingly concerned about children and elderly people.
Movement through the waterlogged lanes becomes more difficult in the evening. Residents monitor the water level from first-floor homes and balconies. Local residents are seeking relief as well as a permanent drainage arrangement so that they do not have to depend on boats and temporary measures whenever flooding occurs.
